May 19, 2013 - 1 min read

The Sparrows of Tsumago

Lose yourself on the ancient mountain road

By Bonson Lam

Community writer

Sparrow like birds on the trail between Magome and Tsumago

The villages of Tsumago and Magome are particularly peaceful in the off season

Beautiful Mountain vistas and lush lawn like rice fields await you in Tsumago

take the road less traveled to Tsumago and Magome

Relax with a cup of tea at one of the teahouses on the walking trail between Tsumago and Magome

What lies beyond the bend on the road to Tsumago

One of the many homely ryokans between Magome and Tsumago

The Red Banners on the Nakasendo Road ablaze like they are heralding the arrival of royalty

Parts of Tsumago and Magome look like a movie set from the seven samurai but it is the real thing

A homely guesthouse on the way to Tsumago

Retracing the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims and medieval lords from Kyoto to Edo through the mountain paths of the Nakasendo is filled with natural beauty and the stories that lie underneath these well trodden paths. Some towns like Tsumago and Magome look like a movie set, though the sparrows that make their nest here may not have read the script. Coming here in the late summer months allow you to escape the heat of the coast and mellow out in the mountain air.

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By Bonson Lam

Community writer

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bonbon 12 years ago

I think these birds are becoming quite an attraction throughout Tsumago and Magome. I haven't seen too many of these birds when I visited, so not a pest as far as I have experienced.